The hotly campaigned-for BMX pump track is set to open to the public shortly.

This has caused great delight for two Swindon councillors, Suresh Gattapur and Tim Makofu, who were heavily influential in helping to raise funds to pay for the new youth facility. 

After taking part in 26.2-mile walkathon, the pair raised £4,000 to get the ball rolling and then a local landfill grant helped make the dream project a reality. 

Swindon Advertiser: An aerial view of Swindon's new BMX pump track in RivermeadAn aerial view of Swindon's new BMX pump track in Rivermead (Image: West Swindon Parish Council)

Contractors have been hard at work constructing the new track at the Rivermead Skate Park in West Swindon over the last few weeks and now it is only days away from being opened to the public. 

West Swindon Parish Council is holding an event for the grand opening this coming Saturday, September 10th at 10am, where demos from professional cyclists will be taking place. 

A spokesperson from the parish council said: "We are thrilled to announce the opening date for West Wheels Track on Saturday 10th September from 10am!

"Join us for demos from; Pro BMX, Pro MTB riders and a British cycling coach.

"The team behind the design and build of the multi wheels pump track will be there to show how to use the track safely whilst demonstrating their skills and giving lots of tips and advice.

"Free goodies, refreshments available and lots of fun."

Swindon Advertiser: Suresh Gattapur and Tim Makofu at the new Swindon BMX pump track they helped to make a realitySuresh Gattapur and Tim Makofu at the new Swindon BMX pump track they helped to make a reality (Image: Suresh Gattapur)

Councillor Gattapur said: “Myself and Tim Makofu noticed the need for recreational activity in West Swindon for the youth to enjoy. After surveying, a BMX pump track was the most popular request.

"To deliver a project like this, we needed a huge amount of support and money from both the council & residents, so I took the lead in organising a 26.2-mile walkathon to encourage people to donate generously.

"We managed to raise above £4,000 which showed our intent to the Parish, on how serious myself and the residents were to build a pump track.

"Once the initial sum was raised, there was snowball effect with the Landfill grant coming in and the remaining sum was covered by the West Swindon Parish Council.

"I am over the moon about this project and thankful for everybody who worked hard to get this done.”

West Swindon Parish Council received a funding boost from Crapper & Sons Ltd. for the extension of the skatepark with a multi wheels track.

The money was made available through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) which is administered for Crapper & Sons Ltd. by Community First, the Rural Community Council for Wiltshire.

Swindon Advertiser: The grand opening event is taking place this weekendThe grand opening event is taking place this weekend (Image: West Swindon Parish Council)